19th October 2021
BOV Tazza l-Kbira Finalists’ Starting Numbers Drawn
The Final of the BOV Tazza l-Kbira 2021 will be held on Sunday 31st October. The owners of the finalist horses for the most prestigious race on Malta’s trotting calendar met to see the draws of the starting numbers for the final. The numbers were drawn by Judge Emeritus Antonio Mizzi, Chairman of the Malta Racing Club/Equestri Malta and Charles Azzopardi, Executive CSR and Marketing at Bank of Valletta.
‘We are very pleased to see all the owners of horses participating in the final of the BOV Tazza l-Kbira here together to see the position their horse will start at,’ said Hon Mizzi. ‘Despite all restrictions, we saw 65 top tier horses racing in this championship, and we look forward to crown a new champion with our long-term supporters in this event – Bank of Valletta.’
‘Supporting Horse racing and other major sports activities forms part of Bank of Valletta’s ESG commitments as a socially responsible organisation’, said Charles Azzopardi. ‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people involved in horse racing, the owners, drivers, trainers and all at the Malta Racing Club, who despite the difficulties faced because of the pandemic, have continued to keep the horses in top condition and hold races for the entertainment of the spectators and fans of this very popular sport.’
Once again, due to the restricted racing dates we had to face because of the pandemic, the BOV Tazza l-Kbira is being held in October. This certainly did not deter the interest as we saw a good number of owners registering new horses even though the opening heats were held during the first meeting of the second part of the season. In fact three of the horses have made it through to the final Chaud Devant, Venale and Beguin d’Ali.
Two semi finals were held on Sunday with six from each race making it to the final. Fastest time during this championship is still held by last year’s winner Vivaldi du Vivrot when he did 1’13”7 in the semi finals whilst the fastest final time is still attributed to 2019 winner Up and Go and is that of 1’14”5/km. Incidentally Up and Go will be attempting to win this honour for the second time as he will be one of the finalists this year after failing to make it to the final in last year’s edition.
The draws were done in the presence of the horse owners, who usually make the draw themselves, but due to the Covid-19 restrictions the procedure has been amended in line with Health Authorities recommendations and respecting social distancing. In fact whilst Hon Mizzi drew the horse’s name, Mr Azzopardi drew the number with which each horse will be starting in the Final on schedule for Sunday 31st October.
The draws were as follows:
1. BARA MIN
2. ASTER DES CAILLONS
3. JOE HOO LEE
4. CHAUD DEVANT
5. BEGUIN D’ALI
6. UP AND GO
7. VENALE
8. JUVELS BOY
9. CASANOVA DU CORTA
10. ANTOINE DU BOURG
11. BARON DE MAJUAG
12. VIKING’S TOPLINE
Lorraine Cunningham
Public Relations & Media Coordinator
Malta Racing Club
MRC/05/21
